DC TRIP


Washington, DC trip ( Itinerary for Oct. 29 through 31 ) October 29, 2001 ( morning ) Make sure Gov. ID is in the wallet for reduced room rate. Sunday night pack the car and go to bed early be ready to leave at 5:30am - follow planned route. Travel Rt. 70, NJ Turnpike, 95 So., 495 So., Wisc.. Ave., Military rd. Stop around Wilmington, DE for a stretch and coffee. Stop later at Maryland Visitor Center for DC maps, visitor booklets, etc. By 9:30am - Arrive at Chevy Chase Pavilion, Embassy Suites . (leave luggage in car until check-in) Request a complementary Breakfast at hotel. Take elevators to the Metro escalator entrance at Freindship Heights. Purchase $5 all day pass card for Metro Subway System. good all hours after 9:30am. Go to Smithsonian Exit - if weather is nice, walk to Washington Monument, South Lawn Whitehouse gate, Viet Nam Wall - via Reflective pool and Lincoln Memorial. Check into hourly tickets to Washington Monument ride to top. Return to Hotel to unload luggage and maybe early check-in. October 29, 2001 ( afternoon ) Have a quick lunch at Cheese Cake Factory. Return by Metro to Visit Air and Space Museum- catch an IMAX show if possible - if not reschedule for later show. If raining, visit Natural History Museum and American History Museum. and the Arts and Industry Building. If time allows. Walk North of Natural History Museum 2 blocks to FBI- Get tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday tour. Return to hotel for normal time check-in, take baggage to room and unpack and short break. ( 2 hours or so ) October 29, 2001 ( evening ) Plan dinner at TGIF's or other eatery in BOTH MALLS if hungry or: Enjoy Courtesy food at hotel food court ( 6pm to 8pm nightly ) mostly chicken wings, pizza, ziti, etc.. If we eat light early, then we can go to TGIF's or Cheesecake Factory late meal. End of Day One. October 30, 2001 ( morning ) Early Breakfast Leave early, take Metro to Smithsonian Exit. Take FBI TOUR if you have appointment. Get tickets right away for Department of Printing and Engraving Tour . Buy two sheets of $1 bills ( $50 for 32 bills ) and bag of shreded money. Get tickets for Holocaust Museum. Timed entry. NOTE: both these buildings are next to each other. Enter according to ticket times. October 30, 2001 ( afternoon ) Complete whichever plan ( Monuments or Museums ) that were not completed yesterday afternoon because of weather. Possibly Metro to Arlington National Cemetery - NOTE: closes at 5pm. NOTE: Next Exit after Arlington is PENTAGON. Take Metro to Dupont Circle - have lunch. Walk South to National Geographic Society . 2 hours approx. Back to Hotel to rest. October 30, 2001 ( evening ) Last night, so have a good dinner - stay close to hotel. Shop and relax at Chevy Chase Pavillion. Pack luggage and dirty clothes away if not busy. October 31, 2001 ( morning ) Up early, have breakfast. Pack rest of clothes and load car early. Express Checkout BEFORE leaving hotel in the morning!!! shop around Chevy Chase and load car with purchases if you didn't last night. WEATHER PERMITTING EVENTS: Possibly take Metro to The National Zoo Woodley Park Exit - long uphill walk - Free Admission. Arlington National Cemetery if you haven't visited it yet. Any Missed Museum or Monuments on return. Possible Alternatives Visit Union Station Visit Library of Congress for photo op. - near Capitol Visit National Arboretum ( near Air and Space Museum ) ALTERNATIVE DAY TRIP TO BALTIMORE Leave early afternoon ( between traffic ) follow route to Baltimore Inner Harbor. If light traffic,park at Gallery Mall Parking Lot. Vist the Discovery Store, shopping malls and watch water taxis. Check Baltimore Science Center IMAX Schedule for 3D show Times see 2 shows if time allows. Lunch at the upstairs eateries in the South Harbor Mall Take Elevator Trip to the World Trade Center of Baltimore Observation Deck. Return 95 north, then by 295 at Bridge to Cherry Hill Exit, South on 72 - take parkway or 539 to Bernie's house to drop Fred off. Or arrange for him to be picked up. Return Home approx. 8pm to 9pm.